Automated Passport Control Kiosks Unveiled at San Diego International Airport

With new machines, lines at Customs will be shorter and move faster

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

SAN DIEGO – January 14, 2015 – Today, San Diego International Airport (SAN) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) introduced eight new Automated Passport Control kiosks. Located in SAN’s Federal Inspection Services area, the kiosks allow passengers to submit their customs declaration and personal information electronically.

SAN joins 30 other airports worldwide in using these self-service kiosks, which will expedite the re-entry process for U.S., Canadian and eligible Visa Waver Program international travelers.

“San Diego International Airport welcomes nearly 30,000 arriving international passengers each month,” said Thella F. Bowens, President/CEO of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority. “Now, for many of those passengers, getting through Customs will be much easier and quicker.”

The kiosks generally reduce processing times by 25 to 40 percent.

“This technology will help our officers efficiently process an ever-growing volume of international travelers,” said Bill Snyder, Port Director, Port of San Diego, U.S. Customs and Border Protection. “The kiosks are designed to reduce wait times and congestion in the Federal Inspection Services area while maintaining the highest standards of security.”

While similar in nature to the Global Entry kiosks installed at SAN in 2012, these new kiosks do not require pre-registration or membership.

The kiosks offer easy instructions for scanning your passport, allowing the kiosk to take your photo and answering customs declarations questions on the touch screen. The kiosks print a receipt which must be shown to a CBP officer upon exit.